Life-preserver.



S. 'P. EDMONDS.

LIFE PRESERVER.

APRL|CATION FILED JAN. 11, 1919.

Patented Feb. 25, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

I wvenboz 0i .REdmohda S. P. EDMUNDS.

LIFE PRESERVER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 11. 1919.

Patented Feb. 25, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

wbewtoz I Edmondo AY-B atto'rm Md To all whom it may concern:

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SAMUEL P. EDMONDS, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

LIFE-PRESERVER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

- Patented Feb.,25, 1919.

. Application filed January 17, 1919. Serial No. 271.632.

Be it known that I, SAMUEL P. Burro-Nos, a citizen of the United States.residing at Brooklyn. in the county of Kings and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Life-Preservers, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to life preservers of the type which is composedof a plurality of blocks of buoyant material such as wood or corkflexibly united into a girdle and which may be quickly adjusted aboutthe waist.

This type of life preserver comprising a series of blocks without anexternal covering is exceedingly simple and cheap to manufacture whichis an important consideration for steamboat companies requiringthousands for the equipment of each vessel. While life preserversconstructed in this manner are cflicient as far as their buoyantqualities are concerned, they are more or less liable to injure thewearer when tossed about by the waves and in a rough sea are positivelydangerous as the blocks are thrown about since a blow upon the head orface by one of these blocks is very liable v to not only stun the personbut cause greater injury. ne of the objects of my invention is toprovide a life preserver of this uncovered block type combined with acollar member which will thoroughly protect the face and head of thewearer, thereby overcoming the objections and dangerous features whichhave heretofore attended the use of any and all of this type.

In the accompanying drawings, is a perspective view showing a lifepreserver embodying my invention and its normal position when inposition on the wearer; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the mannerin which the collar portion receives the blows of the blocks when tossedabout by the waves so as to completely protect the head and face of thewearer; Fig. 3* is a perspective view ofthe.;-lifepreselyer. with theparts separated to show the con struction; and Figs. 4, 5 and 6 areenlarged detail views o f.certainparts, Fig. 5'being taken on the line5',5= and'Fig. 6 on the" line 6-6 of Fig. 3. Themain portion of the lifepreserver consists of a series of' blocks 2 such as cork orsuitablelight buoyant wood' such asz-bail sawoody which are.

united into a girdle by means of cords or Figure 1 ropes 3 passingthrough holes bored adjacent the ends, the holes through the end blocksbeing bored diagonally in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4, to bring thefree ends of the ropes 3 near the outer sides of the blocks tofacilitate tying. The blocks are preferably rectangular with the edgesrounded or beveled, those upon either slde of the arms being cut awayupon adjacent upper corners as indicated at 2 to permit the wearer tohave freeunimpeded movement of his arms.

. The collar part 10 is constructed with an outer cover or envelopfilled with kapok 12 or other suitable buoyant material. It is ofsutlicient length to permit the ends to meet or lap and is provided withstraps or tapes 11 by which it maybe secured in position as illustratedin Figs. 1 and 2. The forward portions of the collar upon either sideare connected by straps 14 with the upper girdle cords 3 at the front,and serve to unite the parts and to position the collar. The straps 14are either continued or else separate straps 15 are employed to formsuspenders 15,0rossing at the back and connected to the upper cord 3upon either side of the middle block, serving to support the girdle atthe back and also to maintain the collar in position. I may fill theupper triangular space between i the collar and the suspender strapswith a fabric 16. which serves not only as a reinforcement but preventsthe straps from entanglement and also to prevent the wearer frominadvertently Iinsertin his arm in through this part in the confusionand eX- citement of a disaster.

'- In some cases I may dispensewith the rear straps 15 and thereinforcement 16., securing the collar part to the girdle cords only bythe straps 14. Instead of employing an equal number of blocks uponeither side, I may arrange more on one side than on the other and inthismanner bring the ends of the cords or ropes 3 at one side.

Naval engineers and seamen who have had experience with the presenttypes of life preser'v'ers and those of the-uncovered girdle type havinga series of blocks strung together by means of ropes, will appreciatethe advantages of the present invention which onables this type to beused without subjecting.

the wearer to the constant menace of receiving a blow upon the face orhead from the blocks whenever he is tossed about by the waves. Thebuoyant collar supports the head and cooperates with the girdle mem bersto mainta n the body inthe proper position to maintain the faceuppermost; but it also performs the very important function of receivingthe blows and absorbing the shocks of the blocks as they are thrown upward toward the head by the impact of the waves.

I have described in detail the construction illustrated in theaccompanying drawings for the purpose of disclosing one embodiment of myinvention but it-will be evident that various changes ma be made.therein without departing from t e invention. The buoyant blocks maytake other forms and may be secured together into a girdle by means ofwebbing of fabric of any suitable character.

I claim 1. A life preserver havin a main girdle portion com rising aplura ity of buoyant blocks unitec'l loosely by means of a plurality ofconnecting cords or ropes thereby permitwith means to secure it aroundthe base of the head in position to receive impacts from the blocks asthey are thrown upward by the waves.

2. A life preserver havin a main girdle portion comprising a plura ityof buoyant blocks united loosel by means Ofa plurality of connecting cors or ropes thereby permitting independent movement of the blocks, and ayieldable collar part provided with means to secure it about the base ofthe head with the forward ends brought together, and connecting meansextending between the collar part and the girdle portion.

3. A life preserver comprising a body portion consisting of a pluralityof buoyant blocks bound together to form a girdle memher, and a softbuoyant collar provided with means to secure it about the base of thehead, and connecting means securing the collar to the girdle member atthe back and at the front thereof.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

SAMUEL P. EDMONDS.

